Post by Meg on Apr 12, 2008 21:20:25 GMT -5

^^^I did that also - and partied way too hard with my friend Lucy on the very first night - like - think Wednesday night - we managed ot get tents set up - but nothing else - it did not get any easy after the sun came up

Post by summerteeth214 on Apr 13, 2008 12:11:19 GMT -5

Another one that happened to one of my friends last year is going back to your tent to take a nap while music's going on. I had a friend who skipped The Police last year and went back to her tent to take a nap before the Flaming Lips. She wound up not waking up until the next morning. If you want to take a nap, find a nice shady spot in Centeroo, set a blanket out, and drift off.

Post by SouthGA_Festival Machine on Apr 13, 2008 12:25:23 GMT -5

Another one that happened to one of my friends last year is going back to your tent to take a nap while music's going on. I had a friend who skipped The Police last year and went back to her tent to take a nap before the Flaming Lips. She wound up not waking up until the next morning. If you want to take a nap, find a nice shady spot in Centeroo, set a blanket out, and drift off.

Or, set the alarm on your cell phone to wake you up in time to get to your show.

Post by Tentharoo on Apr 13, 2008 23:33:19 GMT -5

This cannot be stated enough. Do not walk around screaming BONNAROOOOOOO. My friends do this every year and it's incredibly annoying haha.

Also not bringing sunblock. You'll end up ridiculously burnt and then exhausted from it.

And just watch how much you "take in". I woke up in my tent Sunday morning and didn't remember how I got there and didn't remember what show I went to see Saturday night. Turns out it was the Flaming Lips...and the memories of that only starting coming back when I was looking through my camera and realized that I taped some of it....at least I was borderline smart with that one

Post by areyoukind on Apr 13, 2008 23:37:28 GMT -5

*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun***Hell I don't even know where I am***for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder:The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run***We listen, if it feels goodWe shake***You made a big impression for a girl of your size,Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**

Post by bamadancer on Apr 14, 2008 0:04:13 GMT -5

I particularly love it when you are sitting at camp and it just kind of comes over like a wave, first you hear it in the distance and more people join in and it gets closer and closer...gah I can't wait!

Post by Tentharoo on Apr 14, 2008 3:01:07 GMT -5

yell BONNAROO as much as possible... if you think its annoying don't go

Ok 1. I couldn't love Bonnaroo more if I had birthed it. 2. I guess the annoying part of it comes from I'm from PA and every time I tell people that I have them yelling "WE ARE..." in my face expecting me to yell Penn State back at them. (And I go to Purdue..another Big 10 school...so it's equally as stupid for me)

Post by Meg on Apr 14, 2008 9:43:24 GMT -5

I particularly love it when you are sitting at camp and it just kind of comes over like a wave, first you hear it in the distance and more people join in and it gets closer and closer...gah I can't wait!

This this this - oh and when you roll onto the farm - as you are gettingout of the car to claim your space and the yell begins!

Post by electraonyx on Apr 14, 2008 10:51:06 GMT -5

My sister and I couldn't stay awake past 11 or 12 to save ourselves last year (our first Roo.) We also definitely didn't talk to enough people. Thankfully we went to different shows on our own though..which was great because we got to see (the shows during the day) that we wanted to. This year we're going with a group of people and I may have to bust out the sudafed to stay up later...ha. We also know a DJ with a press/backstage pass... that should help out a lot.

Post by un4given on Apr 14, 2008 11:21:15 GMT -5

These 3 things can't be stressed enough: shade, rest, and water. If you have a long drive coming down, maybe anything over 6 hours. Try to leave early and grab a cheap motel close to Roo. You'll make it to the festival rested and ready. If you're having problems with your camping gear ask a neighbor. I never met anyone not willing to help.

Post by mghnbnfld on Apr 14, 2008 19:50:25 GMT -5

Last year was my first year, my friend and I made plenty of mistakes. Here they are, take your own lessons from them

1. We arrived at the totally wrong time, which might have been okay if we hadn't woken up at 4 am and driven 10ish hours. We waited on the freeway for 6-7 hours (I'm not 100% sure, I kinda blocked it out). By the time we went to bed we had been a wake for 23 hours, and we were exhausted. It ruined our sleep all weekend, and by Saturday night we wanted to go to bed at, like, 8pm. Ugh. I will reiterate the advice of whomever said to get a cheepie hotel near Manchester.

2. We wasted way too much money on food beforehand. We brought a lot of stuff that we never touched. We were more excited about being in Centeroo and seeing what was going on that we didn't want to stay at the tent and eat a full meal, so we didn't. So, be realistic about what meals you plan on eating at the tent.

3. We totally could have talked to more people. We didn't really talk to our neighbors a whole bunch, just formalities. That could have been way better.

4. We knew we wanted to leave on Sunday night, and I thought I'd be able to drive for maybe 5 hours and then we could get a hotel. Well, I couldn't concentrate on regulating my speed and steering at the same time, so I realized quickly that we needed a hotel room. We had to go past Nashville and pay quite a bit of money. So if you think this might be you, figure out realistically how far you want to go, and book a hotel. Come to think of it, I should probably do that.

3. Pace yourself. These are long days and the conditions can be fierce (extremes of sun, heat, dust, rain, mud). It's not a sprint. Conserve energy (until late night, then go nuts).

4. You and the people around you have a lot in common. If you met someone somewhere else who'd been to Bonnaroo, imagine how much you'd have to talk about. It shouldn't be any different if you meet someone there.

5. If you're shy, here are some proven icebreakers: What acts are you most excited to see? What's been your favorite act so far? Where are you from? Have you been here before?

6. Here are some icebreakers that have been proven to be ineffective: Do you always sweat that much? That's a prison tat, isn't it? Would you help me shave my back? Does this look infected to you? Would you mind staying in that spot so that my friends and I can nap in the shade created by your giant ass?

Post by Beckirooo on Apr 17, 2008 10:56:06 GMT -5

my big rookie mistake...what seems like years ago now (oh it was lol)briging too much food and not enough water....you think the food is way too high and you can save for uh...uh ..spending money but you usually wind up to far from camp to go back and get it so then you have to haul it back or throw it out afterward...what a waste...also TALK TO EVERONE YOU CAN!

Post by Guest on Apr 17, 2008 12:16:11 GMT -5

Some thoughts:

(1) It's been mentioned, but get to know your neighbors. Not just the neighbors at your campsite, but also those around you in the crowd when waiting for a show to begin. I'm kind of shy myself and sometimes suck at striking up a conversation with random people...but the people you experience Bonnaroo with are a big part of what makes it so special. 99.9% of them are lovely people and great to chat with.

(2) If you see someone who looks like they could use some help, like they're looking like they might pass out, they're confused/disoriented, etc. PLEASE offer assistance if possible. Last year I started feeling really light-headed and sick right after the Lips started and decided I had to try to get the hell out of the crowd. So I start stumbling through a sea of people searching for a way out. I became disoriented really quickly and thought I was gonna collapse. But then a very kind soul stopped me, offered me some water and made room for me to sit down and chill for a while. It saved my night.

(3) Pick up your trash. There are plenty of places to deposit your trash/recycling in Centeroo. Don't leave it on the ground.

Post by Whatsnew_c on Apr 17, 2008 12:58:00 GMT -5

Getting lost in the campgrounds probably isn't that hard but last year they had these huge balloons with numbers on them. They were spread out in the campgrounds and if you pay attention to where you are according to them then your at least goin in the right direction. But you shouldn't get lost in centeroo. If you do ask someone for directions i'm sure everyone is willing to help